Land claim threatens community’s Lonmin deal

A MULTIMILLION-rand equity deal between Lonmin and a Marikana community could be in jeopardy due to a revived land claim.

Lonmin signed the deal with the Bapo ba Mogale traditional council last July.

But last week court documents were submitted by a splinter group of the Bapo ba Mogale, known as the Wonderkop Community, contesting ownership of the Wonderkop farm where Lonmin’s Western Platinum mine operates. Wonderkop, in Marikana, was the scene of 2012’s fatal labour unrest during which 44 people were killed in the middle of a strike.

Ironically, the land claim bid could have a positive bearing on another court case launched last month by a separate disgruntled group, in which it is seeking to set aside the Lonmin transaction with Bapo ba Mogale.